PADI PRO DIVE Instructor Internships Thailand
Zero To Hero PADI Pro Training Pattaya Thailand
“PADI Pro OWSI Dive Instructor Internship Exclusive 3 Stage Dive Right Deep Academy Training
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Dive Right! The Best Dive Instructor Diving Internship in Thailand
This Dive Instructor Diving Internship is the total package, taking you through not only the Master Diver Program but also Divemaster and Dive Instructor Training over several months in Pattay, Thailand.
If you’re already scuba certified, you’ll pick up at the next level you require. If you have never dived before, the very first thing you will do is get started on your PADI Open Water Diver course. You can collect your study materials and videos when you sign up and get straight into it!
This Pro Dive Internship lays the foundations for your future diving career so we want you to do it right and do it well. Also, you might be asking yourself, will I like it?! We don’t think you will like it! We think you will love it! Either way, this is where it all begins.
If it turns out that after your PADI open water diver course you decide that you don’t think scuba diving is for you (which we highly doubt will be the case) then fair enough, we will refund your internship fee less the cost for that course only, so don’t worry about it, you have nothing to lose if you find out your are a land lover after all. We will wish you well in the mountains high and dry and then we will slip back into the sea without you, no questions asked.
Dive Right Internships are Different!
Join Dive Right Diving Internships, learn Why Pattaya is the best for scuba training as we cut not corners to ensure you become the very best dive professional you can be and the most employable after your PADI pro diver certification.
Our Best Diving Internship Includes all required PADI dive courses to train you to the highest recreational diver level first, before taking you onwards to your pro training
Stage 1 – Master Diver Program (MSD)
Stage 2 – PADI Divemaster Pro Course (DM)
Stage 3 – PADI Dive Instructor IDC Course (OWSI)
First step towards professional training is stage 1, mastering all recreational level training to become a blackbelt of recreational level scuba diving, a PADI Master Diver.
In doing so you will make you a better, more proficient well rounded dive professional in the future. In itself, MSD does not qualify you to work as a PADI Pro but you will excel in your dive skills and build important experience and knowledge in the courses you will later be teaching as a PADI Dive Instructor
Stage 1 – Master Diver Rating (MSD)
PADI Open Water Course
PADI Advanced Diver Course
PADI Emergency First Responder Certification
PADI Rescue Diver Training
5 PADI Specialty Courses
Master Diver Rating.
What is Master Diver Training?
Master Diver Training is a program that helps you to become the best diver you can be! Enhance and gain advanced recreational diving skills and experience to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD). This rating is the highest non-professional certification, a blackbelt rating proving you have extensive dive experience and training qualifications.
To earn it, you must:
✔ Be a PADI Open Water Diver
✔ Be a PADI Advanced Diver
✔ Be a PADI Rescue Diver
✔ Have 50+ logged dives
✔ Complete 5 specialty courses (e.g., Deep Diving, Nitrox, Night Diving, Wreck Diving etc)
It’s the best way to build confidence, improve skills, and prepare for professional-level diving.
Which Specialties Can I Choose From During Master Scuba Diver Training?
To earn the PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD) rating, you must complete five specialty courses of your choice. Popular options include:
✅ Deep Diver – Dive up to 40m
✅ Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver – Extend bottom time with enriched air
✅ Wreck Diver – Explore sunken ships and structures
✅ Night Diver – Safely dive in low-light conditions
✅ Peak Performance Buoyancy – Improve control and air efficiency
✅ Underwater Navigation – Master compass and natural navigation
✅ Search & Recovery Diver – Learn techniques to locate and lift objects
✅ Drift Diver – Handle currents and drift dives safely
✅ Underwater Photography – Learn to take photographs underwater the right way with focus and colour.
✅ Sidemount Diving – Use 2 tanks and gain experience and knowledge in redundancy and advanced air management. Excellent intro to wreck, cave and technical diving.
There are many more specialties to choose from based on your interests and diving goals!
Do I Need to Be a Master Diver to Go Pro?
It’s not actually a requirement—but here at Dive Right We include with Instructor Internships because we want you to be the absolute best Dive Pro you can be.
The PADI Master Scuba Diver (MSD) rating proves you have advanced recreational diving experience. To earn it, you complete five specialty courses, such as:
✅ Wreck Diving – Become a Wreck Diver
✅ Nitrox Diving – Dive with enriched air
✅ Deep Diving – Dive to 40m
✅ Night Diving – Safely dive at night
Now, imagine working as a dive leader or instructor:
- Leading a 32m wreck dive on Nitrox? Sorry, you’re not certified.
- Teaching specialties? You can qualify as an MSDT, but without firsthand experience learning them yourself, you’ll lack the full depth of knowledge.
Whilst technically optional, MSD makes you a better, more capable and let’s be honest more employable dive pro.
Dive Rights second step to becoming the best dive professional is to take you onwards and upwards to dive into professional level training by becoming a PADI Divemaster.
In doing so you will complete the PADI DM program which will certify you to be a PADI professional with pro dive skills and dive theory knowledge to almost an instructor level.
Stage 2 – Divemaster Rating (DM)
Dive Site Setup and Management
Dive Site Mapping / Dive Briefing Skills
Search, Recovery & Deep Scenarios
Divemaster Conducted Program Workshops
Divemaster Waterskills Development
Divemaster Practical Assessments
What is Divemaster Training?
Divemaster Training is the first step to becoming a professional diver. It qualifies you to lead certified divers, assist instructors, and supervise diving activities.
During the PADI Divemaster course, you’ll:
✅ Improve dive skills and stamina
✅ Learn to guide dives and assist students
✅ Master dive planning, problem-solving, and leadership
✅ Complete water skills tests and practical assessments
Once certified, you can work as a dive guide, assist in courses, and start your path to becoming a PADI Instructor!
Undecided? Read Are You Sure if Divemaster Training is for you.
Is Becoming a Divemaster Worth It?
Absolutely—yes!
Becoming a PADI Divemaster is more than a job—it’s a lifestyle. Imagine living on a tropical island, leading dives on coral reefs and shipwrecks every day. This is the reality for Divemasters in places like Thailand, the Caribbean, the Maldives, Australia, and Indonesia.
Scuba diving is a booming industry, and dive operators worldwide need Divemasters. Compared to the incredible opportunities, the time and cost to get certified are minimal. With Dive Right Diving Internships, you can become a PADI Divemaster in just two months—even with no prior experience.
So, is it worth it? 100%. Becoming a Divemaster will change your life.
How Many Dives Do You Need to Become a Divemaster?
✅ 40 logged dives to start Divemaster training (Included in our Divemaster Internship—no prior experience needed!)
✅ 60 logged dives to complete your PADI Divemaster certification (With our internship in Thailand, you’ll go beyond this requirement!)
You’ll gain plenty of real-world dive experience along the way!
How Do I Get a Job as a Divemaster?
Once you’re a PADI Divemaster, there are several ways to land your first job:
✅ Work in a Popular Dive Destination
Jobs open up regularly in top dive locations. Many dive centers prefer to hire their own graduates, including us at Dive Right in Pattaya or our 5-Star PADI partner centers.
✅ Tap Into Our Global Network
Not sure where to work? We’ll connect you with dive center owners and industry contacts worldwide. When we hear about openings, we’ll point you in the right direction.
✅ Use PADI’s Job Board
As a PADI Pro, you get access to the PADI Members’ Job Board, where dive centers worldwide post job openings for Divemasters and Instructors. This is perfect if you want to travel and work.
✅ Be in the Right Place at the Right Time
Visit dive shops, introduce yourself, and leave a strong diving CV. Many shops need extra help and offer temporary work, which can lead to full-time positions.
With the right approach, you’ll find opportunities everywhere!
How much money can you earn as a Divemaster?
Your earnings as a PADI Divemaster depend on location, job role, and the dive center’s popularity. While you won’t become a millionaire overnight, you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and even fund your travels.
Beyond money, being a Divemaster is one of the most rewarding jobs in the dive industry—you get paid to guide certified divers, explore amazing sites, and meet new people, without the stress of teaching.
Ways Divemasters Earn Money:
Commission – Earn per customer when guiding dives. The busier you are, the more you make. Salary – Some shops offer a fixed wage based on your duties (e.g., dive guiding, logistics). You can earn more by adding skills like equipment servicing, marketing, or photography. Tips – Many Divemasters earn extra through customer tips, especially in tourist hotspots.
Most Divemasters earn through a mix of salary, commissions, and tips.
But dont worry, This diving Internship takes you all the way to becoming a PADI Instructor, which opens up the most employment and higher-paying opportunities in the dive industry!
Your Final Step in Professional Diver training is to attain the most sort after pro diver rating, OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) become a PADI Dive Instructor.
By This stage you’ll be a teaching PADI professional who first mastered scuba diving, then becoming the perfect assistant as PADI Divemaster before achieving the most sort after pro ranking of PADI open water scuba instructor.
Stage 3 – Dive Instructor Rating (OWSI)
Become an PADI OWSI Instructor
Become an EFRI CPR Instructor
PADI System of Education
Risk Management & Legal Consideration
Teaching & knowledge development
Conducting Confined & Open Water Training
What is Dive Instructor Training?
Dive Instructor Training is the process of becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI), allowing you to teach and certify new divers. It’s the next step after Divemaster and is essential for those who want a professional career in scuba diving.
What Does Instructor Training Involve?
✅ Instructor Development Course (IDC) – Teaches you how to conduct PADI courses, manage students, and lead training dives.
✅ Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) – Certifies you to teach first aid and CPR.
✅ Instructor Examination (IE) – A final assessment by PADI examiners to ensure you meet the instructor standards.
Why Become a Dive Instructor?
🌍 Work anywhere in the world
💰 Higher earning potential than a Divemaster
🎓 Teach and certify new divers
🤿 Advance your skills and career
Becoming a PADI Instructor is the gateway to a rewarding and flexible career in the dive industry!
What's required to join the PADI Instructor Internship?
To join the Dive Instructor Internship in Pattaya, Thailand, you must meet the following requirements:
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Be in good health (see details below)
✅ Be able to swim (basic swimming skills are fine)
✅ No prior diving experience required*
Health & Fitness Requirements
You should be in good general health with no medical conditions that could interfere with diving, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
📌 Check the PADI Medical Questionnaire to ensure you’re fit to dive. If you have any flagged conditions, consult a doctor for clearance before starting.
Swimming Skills
You need basic swimming ability and should be comfortable in the water. Scuba diving is often easier than swimming, as divers maintain neutral buoyancy and focus on relaxed breathing to extend dive time.
No Prior Diving Experience Needed*
The internship includes all necessary PADI training to take you from beginner to Instructor. Training is structured step by step, ensuring you gain confidence and competence before advancing.
Which Dive Courses Can a PADI Instructor Teach?
After completing the Dive Instructor Internship, you will become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) and Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRi), qualifying you to teach a wide range of courses.
As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you are authorized to teach all PADI courses up to the Divemaster level. This includes delivering theory lessons, conducting shallow water skills, and managing open water dives with students. You will be able to independently train new PADI divers.
Courses You Can Teach as an OWSI:
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving
- PADI Scuba Diver Course
- PADI Open Water Diver Course
- PADI Adventure Diver Course
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
- Emergency First Responder Course
- PADI Rescue Diver Course
- PADI Divemaster Course
- PADI Discover Local Diving
- PADI ReActivate (refresher)
- PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
- Project Aware Course
How do I get a job as a PADI Instructor?
After completing the Dive Instructor Internship, you will become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) and Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRi), qualifying you to teach a wide range of courses.
As a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you are authorized to teach all PADI courses up to the Divemaster level. This includes delivering theory lessons, conducting shallow water skills, and managing open water dives with students. You will be able to independently train new PADI divers.
Courses You Can Teach as an OWSI:
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving
- PADI Scuba Diver Course
- PADI Open Water Diver Course
- PADI Adventure Diver Course
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
- Emergency First Responder Course
- PADI Rescue Diver Course
- PADI Divemaster Course
- PADI Discover Local Diving
- PADI ReActivate (refresher)
- PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
- Project Aware Course
Do I need to buy scuba equipment to work as a PADI Dive Instructor?
During the PADI Instructor Internship, you can use our shop’s rental dive gear, including BCD, regulator set, tanks, weights, mask, fins, and more. Our rental sets are high-quality equipment from leading brands like Scubapro and Aqualung, properly maintained to international standards (we are professional scuba IDEST technicians, after all).
However, if you plan to pursue a career as a PADI Instructor, it’s essential to purchase your own scuba gear before seeking employment.
For training, we strongly recommend investing in a few smaller items to make diving more comfortable, convenient, and safer:
- Mask, snorkel, & fins
- CPR pocket mask
- Cutting tool
- Surface signaling devices (whistle/SMB)
- Dive computer or timing device
These items are available in Pattaya.
If you prefer not to purchase larger items like a BCD or regulator, or if travel logistics make it difficult to bring them, you’re welcome to use our BCD, regulators, and wetsuits.
For more guidance on selecting the right equipment for your career as a dive professional, check out our Dive Equipment Guide for PADI Instructors.
Is working as a scuba diving instructor a good job?
Becoming a PADI Dive Instructor can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.
Imagine living and working in Pattaya, Thailand, a stunning seaside town with tropical islands, beautiful weather, and affordable living costs. As an instructor, you’ll teach people from around the world how to scuba dive, exploring coral reefs, pinnacles, and shipwrecks together.
With proper training, teaching scuba diving is straightforward. PADI Instructors manage all aspects of running courses and are well-equipped to handle any challenges that arise with students. The sense of achievement when teaching a beginner to become a certified diver is immense, and you’ll also have the chance to guide trainees to PADI professional levels.
Becoming a PADI Instructor opens up endless job opportunities worldwide in destinations like Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Red Sea. You can work at dive shops, resorts, liveaboards, and more.
While it’s not a “get-rich-quick” career, PADI Instructors typically earn more than Divemasters, and the job offers a comfortable lifestyle. If you’re serious about a long-term dive career, becoming a PADI Instructor is the ideal choice.
Why Pattaya is the Best Place for Your PADI Instructor Internship
Scuba diving in Pattaya Thailand offers the best professional dive training, deep, wreck, and technical diving advantages that set you apart in the industry. Whilst becoming a PADI Pro in Pattaya you’ll train with Dive Right at both IDC and CDC Pattaya dive centers, supported by a Pro Dive Mentor team comprised of Instructors working from 3 top-level PADI dive centres. that produces higher-standard dive professionals ready for global job opportunities and working as a dive pro.
✅Elite Instructor Development – Train under PADI IDC & CDC centers with a mentorship-driven approach for superior training.
✅ Diverse Dive Sites – Reefs, wrecks and marine park.
✅ Deep & Wreck Diving Hotspot – Train in on famous wrecks like the HTMS Khram & The Hardeep.
✅ Technical Diving Opportunities – Gain advanced skills in deep, Nitrox, and technical diving to expand your career options.
✅ Living in Thailand is Affordable & Great Lifestyle – Enjoy a low cost of living, stunning beaches, and a lively social scene.
✅ Year-Round Warm Water Diving
✅Thriving Dive Community – Make valuable connections, find job opportunities faster, and grow your network in a hub of industry professionals.
Discover Why Pattaya Thailand is Unbeatable for Diver Training.
FAQs About PADI Dive Instructor Internships
What Specialty Dive Courses are included with this Diving Package?
As part of the Master Diver package, you can select any 5 PADI Specialty Courses but we highly recommend the following options for divers looking to build strong leadership skills and broaden their capabilities:
Enriched Air (Nitrox): Essential if you plan to lead dives using Nitrox, helping extend bottom time and reduce fatigue.
Deep Diver: Prepares you to safely explore greater depths, ensuring you’re capable of diving within the limits of most recreational divers you may guide.
Search & Recovery: A valuable specialty that teaches practical skills for locating and retrieving lost items—great for both professional scenarios (e.g., lost anchors, dropped gear) and enhancing rescue skills, navigation, and compass use.
Night Diver: Equips you to confidently plan, lead, and execute night dives—an essential skill since night diving is commonly offered at many dive locations.
Can I progress straight onto Dive Instructor after I finish my Dive Master?
Yes! With our Dive Instructor Internships, your training will continue once you are certified Divemaster. You will continue to dive to gain at least 100 dives as well as assist on courses and dive activities shadowing your dive mentor building experience and confidence leading to the next available IDC / Date at which point you will attend the Instructor development program and PADI Instructor exams.
How long does it take to become a PADI Dive Instructor?
The full Zero to Hero program takes 7 months for beginners starting at Open Water Diver Level, while already-certified divers can complete their training in 3-4 months depending on their starting level.
✅ Certified Divemasters who are ready to become Instructors can enter the PADI IDC Course program which takes 2 weeks
What certifications will I earn during the Dive Instructor Internship?
With DiveRight You will progress through all levels, including:
✅ Open Water Diver
✅ Advanced Diver
✅ EFR Rescue Diver
✅ 5 Specialties
✅ Master Diver
✅ Divemaster Certification
✅ Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)
✅ Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI)
Will I be working during my Diving Internship?
No, you will not be working in the traditional, paid sense during your diving internship. A diving internship is a structured training program designed to provide hands-on experience, skill development, and certifications, not paid employment. While you’ll be involved in real-world dive operations, any activities you participate in are strictly for educational and experience-building purposes under professional supervision.
Can I get a job after my dive internship is complete?
Yes! Once you complete your internship and earn your professional-level certifications (like PADI Divemaster or Instructor), you’ll be qualified to seek paid employment in the dive industry both in Thailand (with the correct work permits) and internationally. The internship gives you the knowledge, confidence, and credentials to launch your professional diving career.
What makes this internship different from other programs?
✅ You’ll get courses that not only follow the PADI standard but are also taught in association with the D.E.E.P Academy Philosophy
✅ We are the only IDEST dive technician Centre in Thailand so you’ll gain unique dive industry insight others can not facilitate.
✅ We are expert technical divers and dive technicians
✅ We have trained many of the current dive center owners operating in Thailand
How Much Do Dive Instructor Internships It Cost?
Select your starting level to see Prices
ESSENTIAL PACKAGE
Divemaster ➔ Instructor
- ✔ All Main PADI Courses From Beginner To PADI Dive Instructor (OWSI)
- ✔ All Required 100 Dives
- ✔ FREE Essential Equipment Package
- ✔ Divemaster Course (Pro)
- ✔ Instructor Development Course (Pro)
- ✔ All PADI Certifications, Member Applications And PADI IE Fees
MASTER PACKAGE
Master ➔ Divemaster ➔ Instructor
- ✔ All Main PADI Courses From Beginner To PADI Dive Instructor (OWSI)
- ✔ All Required 100 Dives
- ✔ FREE Essential Equipment Package
- ✔ Divemaster Course (Pro)
- ✔ Instructor Development Course (Pro)
- ✔ All PADI Certifications, Member Applications And PADI IE Fees
- ✔ 5 PADI Speciality Diver Qualifications
- ✔ Master Scuba Diver Rating (MSD)
ELITE PACKAGE
DM ➔ Master ➔ Spec Instructor
- ✔ All Main PADI Courses From Beginner To PADI Dive Instructor (OWSI)
- ✔ All Required 100 Dives
- ✔ FREE Essential Equipment Package
- ✔ Divemaster Course (Pro)
- ✔ Instructor Development Course (Pro)
- ✔ All PADI Certifications, Member Applications And PADI IE Fees
- ✔ 5 PADI Speciality Diver Qualifications
- ✔ Master Scuba Diver Rating (MSD)
- ✔ 5 Speciality Instructor Ratings
In order to be certified a Dive Instructor you must be certified Open water Diver for a minimum of 6 months.
SPECIAL FREE ACCOMMODATION OFFER
We will offer up to 8 weeks accommodation in our private Internships apartments for FREE on a first come first serve basis. Book early to avoid disappointment.
We have several options – From our Exclusive Limited Dive Pro Apartments as well as local condo deals depending on your budget. * Request a booking and let us know your start date to Check Availability
Dive Intern Apartments are excellent quality, private air-conditioned room with their own bathroom, Balcony and Kitchenette starting from THB 6,500 THB a month – *Exclusive offer only for dive interns. See Our Diving Internship Accommodations in Pattaya Thailand
What’s Additional?
Pro Dive Equipment Deals
We have several options and discounts for pro dive interns to purchase their own full set of pro scuba equipment to keep Ask for details.
BECOME A PADI INSTRUCTOR
Becoming a PADI Dive Pro is a big step, contact us and talk one of our Pro dive mentors about your Professional diver training and diving internship opportunities.
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